Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
- Copy of passport
- Packing list
- Original bill of lading (OBL) / express release (2 non-negotiable copies showing the ocean freight rate) / air waybill (AWB)
- Residence permit / work permit / letter of employment
- Detailed inventory of new items (if bought less than 6 months prior to shipment arrival) in English, dated, valued, signed by the owner of the goods, and attached to the original invoices
- Tax identification number
- Free entry certificate, if applicable
- Diplomatic declaration, signed by the diplomatic organization
- Customs baggage declaration (Form CE 11), signed in the presence of a Customs officer
Specific Information
- It takes approximately 20–40 days to obtain the free entry certificate.
- Relevant documents must be received by the agent prior to arrival of the shipment to minimize any port charges.
- The owner of the goods must be present for Customs clearance.
- All shipments are subject to inspection.
- Diplomatic organizations are subject to duty and value added tax (VAT) exemptions provided the consignee to complete the form FA608 prior to arrival of the shipment.
- Returning residents, who have lived abroad for at least 12 months and persons with dual citizenship, are entitled to duty and VAT exemptions.
- Clothing, toiletries, personal computers, and other personnel effects are also free to import.
Motor Vehicles
Documents Required
- Passport
- Purchase invoice (showing purchase price and date of purchase)
- Quarantine / agriculture clearance
- Vehicle registration / certificate of permanent export (UK) / certificate of title (USA) / de-registration certificate (Japan)
- Invoice showing export costs (Japan)
- Invoice showing freight costs and insurance to Fiji
- OBL / AWB
- Odometer reading at time of sale for export to Fiji
- Odometer reading at time of importation into Fiji
- Import license should be applied for prior to the vessel arrival in Fiji
- Non-sale certificate (new vehicles)
- Commercial invoice (new vehicles)
Specific Information
- The OBL must include chassis number, engine number, color, model, make, and weight of the vehicle.
- The import license must be obtained prior to import.
- Vehicles older than 5 years of age from the date of manufacture cannot be imported.
- In order to avoid any unnecessary delays and charges for demurrage and storage due to lengthy Customs procedures, the agent must receive a copy of the required documentation prior to arrival of the shipment; check with agent for specific time frames.
- Import duties for motor vehicles:
- Vehicles exceeding 1000 cc but not exceeding 1500 cc will be subject to a $7500 specific duty.
- Vehicles exceeding 1500 cc but not exceeding 2500 cc will now attract $11,500 per vehicle.
- Vehicles exceeding 2500 cc but not exceeding 3000 cc will now attract $18,000 per vehicle.
- Vehicles with 3000 cc will now attract $23,000 per vehicle.
- The duty rate on used cars is 32% of the invoice value plus 15% excise duty plus 9% VAT.
IAM Note: Note that Customs will only take whichever amount is greater for payments of duty.
Pets
Documents Required
- Veterinary health certificate
- Vaccination record
- Application to import live animals
Specific Information
- Permission is required from the nearest embassy.
- Cats, dogs, and other domestic pets can only be directly imported by air into the country from Australia, Hawaii, or New Zealand.
- An application to import live animals form from the Office of the Director of Animal Health and Production with proof of rabies vaccination is required for entry.
- Pets are subject to quarantine.
Restricted/Dutiable Items
- All weapons including firearms, knives, swords and explosives (police permit is required).
- Food, plants, or plant parts, camping equipment and biological specimens (a special permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Fisheries is required)
- The following may qualify for free import by persons age 17 years and older:
- Cigarettes (250), cigars (250 g), tobacco (250 g) or a combination of items not to exceed 250g
- Liquor (225 L)
- Wine (4.5 L)
- Beer (4.5 L)
- Goods cannot exceed FJ$400 in total value
Prohibited Items
- Unlawful drugs
- Narcotics
- Birds (all species)
- Pornography
- Counterfeit items
- Cultural artifacts and other objects of cultural importance
- Henna
- Palm trees and any byproducts
- Explosive materials
- Meat and dairy products
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.